Hyderabad :  HYDERABAD 10K RUN is a platform to test an individual’s athletic excellence and also a unique opportunity to donate and raise funds for charity enters its 11th years. What started in a small way back in 2003 for the first time in India is now copied and being organised by 100 plus towns in the country. Even in small places like Tadepally Gudem, Rajahmundry in our state, Vadodara in Gujarat now have their own runs, informed founder of Hyderabad 10K Run Dr. Ramesh Babu, while addressing a press conference here in city today.

Adding further, he informed that they have set an ambitious target of achieving a mark of raising Rs 5 crores from each run from the year 2015. Mumbai Marathon which started much later generates about Rs 20 crore from each run. We would like to achieve 5 crore mark from each run from 2015 onwards and would like to go upwards, informed Dr. Ramesh Babu.

Another special feature this year is CEOs of many well known companies like ADP, Bharat Biotech, GVK, ITW, Wells Fargo, Granules and many are expected to participate in the run.

Giving details Mr. Ramesh Kaza, Treasurer of United Way of Hyderabad informed that the 10K run which will be held at People’s Plaza on next Sunday at 6am will have two new categories this year. One is Youth Challenge and We Care Runner. These runners are over and above Corporate Challenger, Dream Runners, Icon Runner, I Care Runner.

Youth Challenge is a category specially designed for students of educational institutions who wish to participate and raise funds for their chosen charity/cause. Youth in the age group of 12 to 21 years can form a team of 5 and can choose from any of the NGO’s registered with the Event’s official Charity Partner, United Way of Hyderabad, to raise funds for.

Youth Challengers group need to raise a minimum of INR 25,000/-, in support of their chosen NGO/ cause.

We Care: This is for those individuals who ‘care’ for the society. They can run in support of a NGO/ cause they individually believe in and raise pledges of any amount for the said NGO/cause.

Adding further another member Suchitra Ella said last year we raised about Rs 30 lakh and this year our target is to raise Rs 30.52 lakhs pooled in by 26 companies. This amount was donated to 36 registered NGOs, she said.

Organized by Hyderabad 10K RUN foundation and Deccan Chronicle as the Title Sponsor, the funds generated this year will be utilized towards Phailin Cyclone and flood, relief and rehabilitation work. United Way of Hyderabad which is the Charity Partner for the second year with the 10K Run Foundation has adopted 5 villages in Ganjam district in Orissa.  All the funds raised will go towards rehabilitation of Livelihoods, health care facilities and Schools in these 5 villages, she informed.

This year Over 100 companies have been reached out to and requested to run for Charity. Over 50 NGOs will be registering as potential recipients of the donations informed Subba Rao,  another member of United Way of Hyderabad who addressed on the occasion.
Socially conscious Companies & highly motivated individuals run and also raise funds for the nonprofits of their choice. Participants can use the event as a reason to give back to the society and the underprivileged, he informed.

United Way of Hyderabad (UWH) is the Charity Partner of the 11th Edition of HYDERABAD 10K RUN, 2013. The Charity Partner serves as a Philanthropy Exchange for various charities and non-profits. All donations pass through the charity partner and then to the respective NGOs, thus bringing in accountability and transparency in the system. The charity aspect is well regulated and hence serves as an assurance to prospective donors informed Dr. Ramesh Babu.

Under RUN for CAUSE, we have the following run categories through which companies and individuals can participate. These categories ensure a level playing field to all participating non-profit organizations and give them a vital platform for fundraising by maximizing their fund raising abilities.

Corporate Challenge: Corporate Challenge (CC) is a category specially designed for companies who wish to sponsor employee teams to participate in the HYDERABAD 10K RUN and raise funds for charity.

Dream Runners: This is a special category meant for those highly motivated individuals who feel passionately about a cause and commit to raise a substantial sum of funds towards the NGO of their choice. There are three categories under this depending on the minimum charity they commit to raise:

Category	Minimum funds to be raised
ICON RUNNER	INR 2,00,000
ICARE RUNNER	INR 1,00,000
IDREAM RUNNER	INR 50,000